Boeing awarded $9.2B contract for Air Force T-X trainer aircraft

Boeing has won the bidding contest for the Air Force's T-X Advanced Pilot Training program, with the service awarding it a $9.2 billion contract to provide up to 475 aircraft over the next two decades.

The contract, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, includes an $813 million initial order under the program, which has Boeing providing engineering and manufacturing development of the APT aircraft and ground-based training systems.

The Boeing T-X, designed and developed with Saab, will provide two models of aircraft for the program, which seeks to replace the decades-old Northrop T-38 Talon.

The deal anticipates delivery of 351 aircraft, 46 associated training devices and other supplies and service, including initial spares, support equipment, sustainment and training. The contract has a ceiling of 475 aircraft and 120 ground-based training systems.

The initial order will cover engineering and manufacturing of the first five aircraft and seven training simulators, according to Saab.

The award "is a direct result of our joint investment in developing a system centered on the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force. We expect T-X to be a franchise program for much of this century," Leanne Caret, president and CEO for Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said in a statement.

Work on the contract is mostly expected to be done in St. Louis, Mo., though the company said about 90 percent of the T-X will be made in the U.S., with production supporting about 17,000 jobs in 34 states.

The Air Force has obligated $33.6 million in fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds at the time of award.

HÃ¥kan Buskhe, president and CEO of Saab, in a statement called the contract "a major accomplishment for our partnership with Boeing and our joint team, and I look forward to delivering the first trainer aircraft to the U.S. Air Force."

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Marines send F-35B on first combat strike
Washington (UPI) Sep 27, 2018
The Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II has conducted its first combat strike, a ground clearance operation to support Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan. The F-35B launched an airstrike for ground clearance operations on Thursday, which was deemed effective by commanders on the ground. "The F-35B is a significant enhancement in theater amphibious and air warfighting capability, operational flexibility, and tactical supremacy," Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, commander of U.S. Naval Forc ... read more